Abrading machine



Jan. 30, 1945. BOURGEOls 2,368,108

ABRADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1945- e. A. BOURGEQIS 2,368,108

ABRADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor B @Mm Jan. 30, 1945.

G. A. BOURGEOIS ABRADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet- 4 Inventor Patented Jan. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ABRADING MACHINEv George A. Bourgeois, Lynn, Mass.

Application January 25, 1944, Serial No. 519,654

4 Claims.

This invention relates to abrading machines,

and has more particular reference toa WOIk-H holding and manipulating device for abrading -machines of that type employing a horizontal rotary abrading disc and commonly employed for face lapping carbide-tipped cutting tools and fly cutters.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a work-holding andmanipulating device of the above kind by means of which the Work may be engaged with the abrading disc with a yielding pressure and oscillated back and forth across the surface of the abradin disc so as to bring about a most efiicient abrading or polishing action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work-holding and manipulating device of the above kind wherein the work is caused to automatically assume a flat or even engagement with the surface of the abrading disc to insure uniform or even abrading of the work.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind which is so constructed as to facilitate insertion or removal of the work with respect to the holding and manipulating device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind which is comparatively simple in construction, eflicient in operation, and otherwise well adapted to meet the requirements for a successful commercial use.

Still further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, illustrating an abrading machine equipped with a work-holding and manipulating device constructed in accordance with the pres-. ent invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the work-holding and manipulating device and adjacent parts of the abrading machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary developed perspective view, partly broken away and in section, showing parts of the device separated but in position for assembling.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating other parts of the device separated but in positionfor assembling.

Figure 5 is a developed perspective view showing the work-receiving clamp and the work separated but in position for assembling.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the connecting rod and eccentric forming part of the device.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the Workholding clamp with the work clampedtherein.

Figure 8 is a plan View of the pivoted block forming part of. the tension means for yieldingly pressing the work to the surface of the abrading disc.

cates the frame of an abrading machine having a top frame plate 6 that is provided with a large circular opening 1 within which is positioned a horizontal rotary abrading disc 8. The disc 8 is mounted upon the upper end of a vertical shaft at 9 suitably driven by belt gearing [U or the like from a motor I I mounted in the frame below the top plate 6. Mounted over the-abrading disc 8 is a hood l2 having a marginal flange l3 that may be fixed to the top plate 6 by screws M or the like. This hood acts as a guard to protect the operator against contacting the abrading disc while the latter is in operation, and such hood is cut away at one side, as at I5, to reveal or expose a marginal portion of the abrading disc 8 for the application of the work to the upper surface thereof. Usually, the disc 8 consists of a steel wheel whose upper surface is ordinarily impregnated with diamond dust so as to give it the necessary abrading property. Thus far described, the abrading machine is of well known or conventional construction.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a work-holding and manipulating device for abrading machines of the type described above. As shown, the device preferably includes a horizontal supporting plate I6 pivoted at one end upon the top plate 6 of the abrading machine,'as at H, adjacent the disc 8 and where the cut-out I5 is provided in the hood l2. At its other end, the supporting plate I6 is provided with a pair of upstanding spaced side ears IE to the outer sides of which are pivoted at l9 the ends of the legs of a bifurcated arm 20, whereby the latter is mounted for vertical swinging movement. Provided on the outer sides of the ears I8 are stop lugs 2|, and the legs of arms 29 have projecting lugs 22 arranged to engage the stop lugs 2| so as to limit upward swinging movement of arm 20 to a point wherein the same Referring in detail to the drawings, 5 indimoves past the pivotal center defined by the pivots l9, to the left of the latter, as viewed in Figure 2. Rigid with and extending upwardly from the intermediate portion of the legs of arm are upwardly converging ears 23 in the openings of which are journaled stub shafts 24 provided on opposite sides of a block 25. In this way, the block 25 is swiveled between the ears 23 for rocking about a horizontal transverse axis. Slidably extending through a central aperture 26 of the block 25 is an adjusting screw 21 having a nut 28 threaded thereon above the block 25. The lower end of screw 21 is connected with a link 29 pivoted at 30 to the supporting plate IS on a transverse horizontal axis, by means of a helical tension spring 3|. This provides a yielding past center device by means of which the arm 20 is held in raised position when it passes the center defined by pivots I9, at which time lugs 22 engage stop lugs 2|. Also, it provides a means for yieldingly pressing the arm 20 downwardly, to correspondingly press the work into engagement with the abrading disc 8, in a manner as will be presently made apparent.

As shown clearly in Figures 2 and 4, the outer end of arm 20 terminates in a plate portion 32 provided with an end opening 33 and an arcuate slot 34 concentric with and inwardly of the opening 33. A block 35 has one end reduced, as at 36, and pivoted to the under side of the plate portion 32 of arm 20 by means of a pivot bolt 31 passing through the opening 33 and an opening 38 in the block portion 36. A clamping screw 39 also passes through the slot 34 and is threaded into an opening 40 of the block portion 36. This permits horizontal swinging adjustment of block 35 relative to arm 20, and screw 39 may be tightened to secure the block in any of its horizontally swung adjusted positions. Pivoted against the outer end of block 35, as at 4|, and intermediate its ends, is a yoke 42, whose depending legs are pivoted at 43 against opposite sides of an upwardly projecting portion 44 provided on an inverted channel-shaped, work-holding clamp 45. The pivotal axis of yoke 42 extends longitudinally of arm 20, while the pivots 43 are transverse to said arm and' the work-holding clamp 45. Thus, the work-holding clamp is capable of lateral tilting and longitudinal tilting movements relative to arm 20, and it will be apparent that the work secured in clamp 45 may thus be allowed to automatically assume a fiat or even engagement with the upper surface of the abrading disc 8 when pressed against said surface through the action of spring 3| on arm 2t. The adjustment afforded by slot 34 and clamping screw 39 permits the work holder to be adjusted at any desired horizontal angle relative to the arm 20 for properly maintaining engagement of the work with the marginal edge portion of the abrading disc 8, even though the width of the work may vary. In Figures 1 and '7, the work is shown as including a cutting tool 46 whose shank is received within the channel of clamp 45 and which is tightly impinged at one side edge by means of clamping screws 41 threaded through one side of the clamp 45. The portion of the tool 46 to be face-lapped or polished projects from the outer end of clamp 45, as shown. As the pivot 43 is located nearer the outer end of clamp 45 than the other end thereof, it is preferably yieldingly held in parallel relation to the portion 32 of arm 20 by means of a small tension spring 41 connecting the inner end of clamp 45 with the portion 36 of block 35. Also, the

upper end of clamping screw 31 is preferably provided with a large knob 48 adapted to serve as a handle to facilitate upward swinging of the arm 20 to inoperativ position or downward swinging thereof to operative position. Poweroperated means is provided for continuously oscillating the supporting plate l6 horizontally about its pivot ll when the abrading disc 8 is rotated, so as to impart a similar movement to arm 20 and the work-holding clamp 45 carried thereby, and so that the work is given a similar oscillating movement across the upper surface of the abrading disc for insuring an even or smooth abrading action on the tool being abraded or lapped. For this purpose the top plate 6 of the frame 5 of the abrading machine is formed with an arcuate slot 49 concentric with the pivot l1, and the free end portion of supporting plate I6 is provided with a rigid depending pin 50 that freely depends through the slot 49 and has an end 5| of a pitman 52 pivoted thereon. Suitable power-operated means is provided for reciprocating pitman 52, and such means, as shown,

consists of an eccentric 53 carried by a vertical shaft 54 suitably journaled beneath the top plate 6 of the abrading machine and an eccentric ring 55 on the other end of pitman 52 engaging the eccentric 53, suitable means being provided, such as belt gearing 56, for transmitting power from the disc shaft 9 to the shaft 54.

In operation, the arm 20 is swung upwardly until the lugs 22 engage stop lugs 2|, at which time the sprin 3| will pass the pivot center at i9 and retain the arm 20 in this upwardly swung position. The tool or work 46 may then be conveniently placed and secured in the clamp 45, whereupon the arm 20 is swung downwardly to operative position, as shown in Figure 2, the face of the work being yieldingly pressed into engagement with the upper surface of the abrading disc 8 and assuming an even or flat engagement with the latter by reason of the lateral and longitudinal tilting permitted freely for the work clamp 45. The machine is then placed into operation so as to drive the abrading disc 8 and simultaneously reciprocate pitman 52 for oscillating the supporting plate 6 and parts carried thereby. In this way, the work is oscillated laterally across the surface of the abrading disc 8 in an arcuate path substantially at right angles to the direction of rotation of the abrading disc, thereby insuring an even abrading or polishing action on the work. It will be apparent that by providing the present device, a workman may place the work in the device and start the machine in operation, after which he will be free for other duties until the abrading operation is completed. Also, it will be apparent that several of the devices may be associated with one and the same abrading disc by suitably modifying the hood l2 and mounting a number of the devices at different spaced points about the abrading disc. This is elementary and involves mere duplication which may be effected by any one skilled in the art, pursuant to becoming familiar with the device.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will be seen that the device is comparatively simple, compact and durable. It will also be apparent that the device is of such a nature as to require little attention or service and to insure eflicient operation. Minor changes in the details of construction illustrated and described are contemplated, such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:'

1. An abrading machine comprising a frame including a top plate having an arcuate slot, a horizontal ower-driven rotary abrading disc, and a power-driven work-holding and manipulating device mounted at one side of said disc, said device including a mounting plate pivoted on the top plate of the frame concentric with said slot for horizontal oscillation, a vertically swinging arm pivoted on said mounting plate with one end of the same movable with said mounting plate in an arcuate path over the upper surface of said disc in a general direction radial of the latter,'a work-holding clamp carried by said end of the arm, yieldable means acting to depress the arm and press the work in the clamp into engagement with the surface of said disc, and power-operated means to continuously oscillate said arm when the disc is driven, the mounting plate having upstanding ears to which one end of said arm is pivoted, the oscillating means for said arm including a pin depending from the mounting plate 4 through said slot, and a reciprocating pitman pivotally connected to said pin below the top plate of the frame.

2. An abrading machine including a horizontal power-driven rotary abrading disc, and a powerdriven work-holding and manipulating device mounted at one side of saiddisc, said device including a vertically swinging arm mounted for horizontal oscillation with one end of the same movable in an arcuate path over the upper surface of said disc in a general direction radially of the latter, a work-holding cla'mp carried by said end of the arm, yieldable means acting to depress the arm and press the work in the clamp' into engagement with the surface of said disc, and power-operated means to continuously oscillate said arm when the disc is driven, a yoke pivotally mounted on said arm for lateral tilting movement relative thereto, means connecting the work-holding clamp to said yoke for longitudinal tilting movement relative to the latter whereby the work may automatically shift relative to the arm for fiat engagement with the surface of the disc when pressed against the latter.

3. An abrading machine including a horizontal power-driven rotary abrading disc, and a powerdriven work-holding and manipulating device mounted at onev side of said disc, said device including a vertically swinging arm mounted for horizontal oscillation with one end of the same movable in an arcuate path 'over the upper surface of said disc in a general direction radially of the latter, a work-holding clamp carried by said end of the arm, yieldable means acting to depress the arm and press the work in the clamp into engagement with the surface of said disc, and power-operated means to continuously oscillate said arm when the disc is driven, a yoke pivotally mounted on said arm, for lateral tilting movement" relative thereto, means connecting the work-holding clamp to said yoke for longitudinal tilting movement relative to the latter whereby the work may automatically shift relative to the arm for fiat engagement with the surface of the disc when pressed against the latter, and a block mounted for horizontal swinging adjustment relative to said end of the arm, said yoke being pivoted to said block.

4. An abrading machine including a horizontal power-driven rotary abrading disc, and a powerdriven work-holding and manipulating device mounted at one side of said disc, said device ineluding a vertically swinging arm mounted for horizontal oscillation with one end of the same movable in an arcuate path over the upper surface of said disc in a general direction radially of the latter, a work-holding clamp carried by said end of the arm, yieldable means acting to depress the arm and press the work in the clamp into engagement with the surface of said disc, and power-operated means to continuously oscillate said arm when the disc is driven, the mount- .ing means for said arm including a horizontally swinging mounting plate having upstandingears to which one.end of said arm is pivoted, a yielding past center device connecting the arm with the mounting plate for 'holding the arm in an upwardly swun position, and stop means including cooperating stop elements on the arm and mounting plate for limiting the upward swinging movement of the arm to a position wherein the same passes the center defined by its pivotal mounting.

GEORGE A. BOURGEOIS. 

